The Andrews Labor Government has kick-started work for a high-speed rail link between Geelong and Melbourne, with detailed planning work and technical investigations to determine a preferred option set to begin.

The Victorian Budget 2018/19 will include $50 million for detailed investigations of fast rail infrastructure upgrades, costs and train requirements.

This vital work will help identify a preferred option and pave the way for full business case development.

A number of options will be investigated including the possible electrification to Geelong along the existing rail corridor, as well as new dedicated highspeed rail alignments with new rolling stock.

The investigations will also consider a new fleet of dedicated trains capable of travelling between 250 and 300km per hour.

A fast rail link from Geelong to Melbourne would slash travel times between Victoria’s capital and its second biggest city, as well as creating a rail pathway to Melbourne Airport.

The Labor Government wants a future Melbourne Airport Link that integrates into the existing rail network. This would maximise the benefits of the link, unlocking capacity in Melbourne’s booming west and north and providing better services for regional Victoria.

Today’s announcement complements the work already underway on a joint preliminary business case for the Melbourne Airport Rail Link between Victoria and the Commonwealth.

The Melbourne Metro Rail Authority established under the Coordinator General will now become Rail Projects Victoria to lead the investigation, development and delivery of the program.

Rail Projects Victoria will also oversee the delivery of the $11 billion Metro Tunnel and the $1.7 billion Regional Rail Revival project.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan

“This vital work will help determine the best way to deliver high-speed rail to Geelong as part of the Melbourne Airport Link.”

“This is about ensuring any link to the airport delivers better services for Geelong and regional Victoria.”

“With the right planning, this could change the way people live and work in Geelong.”

HIGH-SPEED rail between Geelong and Melbourne is closer to becoming reality with a $50 million cash package to investigate the bullet link.

State Transport Minister Jacinta Allan will visit Geelong today to reveal the State Budget cash splash, with the government attempting to fuse regional fast rail with Canberra’s Tullamarine rail push.

Trains reaching speeds of between 250 and 300 km/h will be investigated as part of the plan — theoretically enabling commuters to travel from Geelong station to Southern Cross terminal within 20 minutes.

It comes as Premier Daniel Andrews and Labor face an election year backlash from frustrated Geelong commuters crammed into carriages following a dramatic rise in patronage during the past five years.

Ms Allan said the $50 million set aside in the 2018-19 budget would cover “detailed investigations of fast rail infrastructure upgrades, costs and train requirements.”

A number of options will be investigated including the possible electrification to Geelong along the existing rail corridor, as well as new dedicated high-speed rail alignments with new rolling stock. A 2025 start date for the high-speed link has been canvassed by the Premier.

“This vital work will help determine the best way to deliver high-speed rail to Geelong as part of the Melbourne Airport Link,” the Transport Minister said.

“This is about ensuring any link to the airport delivers better services for Geelong and regional Victoria.

“With the right planning, this could change the way people live and work in Geelong.”

The Prime Minister announced that $5 billion in federal cash would be spent on constructing a Tullamarine to city centre link if the Andrews Government matched the commitment dollar-for-dollar.

Ms Allan said the State Government wanted a future Melbourne Airport Link that “integrates into the existing rail network.” The Premier said last year that any work on the Tullamarine link would likely start after the completion of the Metro Tunnel, which is scheduled for 2025.

Committee for Geelong chief executive Rebecca Casson said Avalon Airport’s absence of rail connectivity should not be forgotten in the state’s Tullamarine/Geelong strategy.

“For Geelong to continue its transformation into a clever and creative city, it is vital to slash travel times between our city-region and Melbourne,” she said.

The Melbourne Metro Rail Authority established under the Coordinator General will now become Rail Projects Victoria to lead the investigation, development and delivery of the program. Fast rail to Ballarat and Bendigo may be examined following on from any Geelong high-speed initiative.